An Alleged Personal Interest Draws Bar Charges

I may have mentioned that the web page of the Vermont Professional Responsibility Board is at the forefront (nobody beats Ohio) of regulation transparency, with easy access to every pleading in all pending matters.

A recently-filed Petition of Misconduct alleges that the respondent attorney was retained by a couple to assist in the purchase of real property from a former client. It is further alleged that the client purchasers were unaware that respondent had handled the seller’s divorce until two days before the scheduled closing.

He allegedly made disclosures to the buyers in violation of his confidentiality obligations to the seller.

Further, it is alleged that he sought payment of his former client’s bill from the proceeds of the sale and filed a collection action against the seller and a writ of attachment against the property.

The matter of the fee was resolved, the attachment withdrawn and the property sold.

Answer linked here. (Mike Frisch)